Nationwide Admiralty and Maritime Lawyers
THE KAPLAN/BOND GROUP is one of the premier admiralty and maritime law firms in the nation. With more than a century of combined trial experience we advise and represent individuals and commercial interests in all areas of law pertaining to injury and financial damages at sea, including:
- Commercial fisherman
- Merchant seamen
- Longshoremen and dock workers
- Recreational boaters
- Boat, ferry and ship passengers
Highly Specialized Area of the Law
Admiralty and maritime law is a highly specialized and technical field of law. It is best handled by attorneys who devote their practice to the study of its ever-evolving nuances and unique pitfalls that plague the more generalized practitioner. The sea and waterways is a jurisdiction in and of itself, expressly incorporated into our U.S. Constitution by our forefathers who recognized the necessity of adding special protections for those who catch our fish and transport our goods. Over the centuries, admiralty and maritime law has developed its own body of law.
We represent clients in all areas of litigation relating to admiralty and maritime law, including:
- Jones Act
- Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act
- Commercial seamen/merchant mariners law
- Longshoremen and stevedore law
- Recreational boating injuries
- Passenger ship and ferry accidents
Seamen Injured on the Job
Workers employed aboard commercial vessels, are protected by statutes that allow them to sue their employers for negligence, wrongful death, unfair wages, unseaworthiness, and maintenance and cure. In effect, the Jones Act allows seamen to sue their employer for negligence and vessel-related defects and provides a unique form of worker's compensation. And the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act provides for the seaman's protection and relief. THE KAPLAN/BOND GROUP has an in-depth working knowledge of these laws.
Our seasoned trial lawyers use the latest technology to create compelling presentations for opposing counsel, the insurance companies that hire them, and the judges and jurors that control the fate of each case. We often incorporate photography, video footage, and 3D animation to ensure that you get the most persuasive representation available.
This approach has led to a great deal of success in our courts. Our most recent landmark victory was achieved before the United States Supreme Court in the case of Stewart v. Dutra Const. Co., 543 U.S. 481 (2005). The ruling we achieved changed the law and served to expand the rights of injured seamen nationwide. The Stewart decision is an example of our ability to challenge the law and, when necessary, change it.
We represent the rights of ALL injured workers. Visitors, U.S. citizens and "undocumented" workers or residents may be eligible for accident benefits under both state and federal law.
Contact our offices by phone or e-mail to schedule a free consultation at our offices in Boston or New Bedford, Massachusetts.
